The Federal Trade Commission is ramping up its investigation into some of Twitter’s most controversial decisions since Elon Musk took over the company last fall. This includes the company’s mass layoffs and the launch of Twitter Blue, as well as the company’s dealings with journalists involved in so-called “Twitter Dossiers,” according to the Journal. The Wall Street Journal.
At issue is Twitter 2022’s dispute with the Federal Trade Commission over its use of “deceptive” ad targeting. Along with a $150 million fine, the company at the time agreed to a “comprehensive privacy and information security program,” as well as other stringent measures intended to protect users’ privacy. But there has been widespread concern from lawmakers and others that Twitter has not lived up to those requirements under Musk’s leadership.
now, The Wall Street Journal Reports indicate that the FTC has sent at least a dozen letters to Twitter since last fall in an effort to obtain more information about the company’s handling of layoffs, Twitter Blue, “Twitter Dossiers” and other issues. Reportedly, the agency is also trying to remove Musk as part of the investigation. The House Judiciary Committee also released a report on the FTC’s inquiries to Twitter.
The report isn’t the first indication that Twitter may have wronged the regulator since Musk’s takeover. The FTC previously said it has pursued the departure of privacy and security executives. Lawmakers and others have raised concerns about the rapid launch of Twitter Blue, which was launched without a proper privacy or security review, a requirement of Twitter’s settlement to the FTC.
Likewise, the bloomberg He noted that the settlement also requires Twitter to limit internal access to Twitter users’ data. Security experts have questioned whether Musk’s decision to turn over reams of internal documents and give journalists access could have violated his obligations to the Federal Trade Commission.
in Musk called the FTC’s actions “a disgraceful case of weaponizing a government agency for political purposes and suppressing the truth.” Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee also described the agency’s investigation as “harassment.”
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